Hazel Wright Terrell

CHAPTER 1:   ALPHA – Jeremiah 1:5

Hazel Wright Terrell, born to the late Deacon Prilly Z. Wright, Jr. and Olivia Melson Wright on March 8, 1929, in Dayton, Ohio.  She was the youngest of three daughters, joining her late siblings: Helen (Forrest) Price and Iula (William) Carter, along with the late sister-in-law, Catherine (Willie) Glaze.

CHAPTER 2:  THE BOOKLEARNER – Proverbs 1:5

Hazel graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947, where she majored in business administration.  During her high school senior year, she was featured in the Dayton Local Newspaper for her skills as a proficient typist.

CHAPTER 3:  EVERLASTING LOVER, MOM, GRANDMOTHER, AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER – Ephesians 5:22, Proverbs 22:6

Hazel married Willie A. Terrell, Sr. on August 26, 1950.  This year they celebrate 75 years of marriage. From this union, God blessed them with six children:  Willie Andrew Terrell Jr., Pamela Oretha (Larry) Baker, Hazel Darlene Terrell (deceased), Marlyn Jeannie (Clarence) Baggett, Marcia Celeste Terrell, and Reginald James (Valencia) Terrell. Her spiritual legacy continues through her five grandchildren, Tiffanie Terrell, Trista Terrell (Bryan Houston), Adrian Terrell Baker, Tessa (Darius) Johnson, DeJuane Miller, and along with seven great-grandchildren: Thomas, Jamese, Perrish, PerryOnna, Aaron, Marie Rose, Della, and Nauj.

CHAPTER 4:  GOD’S SERVANT – Psalm 100:2

Hazel was baptized as a child under the leadership of the late Pastor A.Z. Crawford and lived to be the oldest current member of First Baptist Church of Ridgewood Heights of Dayton, Ohio. Throughout her tenure she witnessed the erection of three churches, contributing greatly to her legacy at the church and the Matriarch of the Wright Family.  She served as President of the Mother’s Board and was involved in various church organizations, including Senior Usher Board, Missionary Board, BTU, and she participated the Senior Sunday School Class for over 60 years. 

CHAPTER 5:  GRACE AND COMMUNITY SERVANT – Colossians 3:23

Hazel was a lifelong member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served on the NAACP Scholarship Committee. She was a member of the Amaranth Grand Chapter, Inc., Order of the Eastern Star of Ohio (Deborah Chapter #19) Prince Hall Affiliated, and received her 50 Year Member Pin.  Hazel was honored with a Proclamation on August 26, 2000, from Mayor Michael Turner for her 50th wedding anniversary to Willie Andrew Terrell, Sr.  She was also the recipient of “The Crown with Glory and Honor Award” in 2002 from First Baptist Church of Ridgewood Heights and received recognition in 2015 from the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) for Ladies in their 80’s and beyond.  Additionally, she has supported the Omega Psi Phi Scholarship Program since 1981.

CHAPTER 6:  THE DILIGENT EMPLOYEE – Deuteronomy 2:7

Hazel began working at an early age as a cashier for her mother’s delicatessen, Olivia Wright Delicatessen, in the Crown Point Community of Ridgewood Heights. She later found employment with the Jefferson Township Board of Education, the Montgomery County Board of Elections, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base.  Hazel retired after 25 years of service at the Veterans Administration in Dayton, Ohio.

CHAPTER 7:  THE CHAPTER OF COMPLETION AND TRANSITION – 3 John 1:6

God allowed Hazel-Mommy, Mom, Mother, Granny-to reach her 96th birthday and Mother’s Day 2025.  She found valiantly against her heart issues until the very end but never wanted to be a “Robot” and rely on a pacemaker.  Throughout her recent journey, she was admitted to various nursing and rehabilitation facilities, where she brought the “Sunshine” to each place with her “Good Morning to You” song.  When she departed each facility, everyone knew “God” and got a “drip of God’s anointing”.  During this chapter she constantly reminded the family, friends, church members, physicians, surgeons, and nurses who managed her “life” that it was nobody but God.  HALLELUJAH!!

CHAPTER 8:  THE OMEGA AND FINAL RESTING PLACE - II Corinthians 5:1

Dear Family and Friends,

I want you to know I have started a new beginning and chapter in my Life.  I have moved to a better place.  I received a call from God and my new home is ready for me to move in immediately.  This place is beautiful and a remarkable sight to behold.  Let me give you my new address because I highly recommend you make plans to live here too.

Hazel Wright Terrell

1 Eternal Place by God’s Side

Heaven

Funeral service 11 am Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Ridgewood Heights, 116 Hanover Ave., Dayton, OH. Visitation 9 am- 11 am. Family will receive friends 10 am- 11 am. Interment West Memory Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to House of Wheat Funeral Home.

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